[marktwain]

I would suspect a pre-trial hearing as well. Given what we know about the case, I would ordinarily expect the charges to be dismissed, absent new evidence.

But, given the political nature of this case, I expect a show trial.

[Sherman Logan]

The reporting on this law has been atrocious. It merely adds another aspect to the basic law on self-defense. It does not change any of the exclusions under which self-defense cannot be claimed, notably while in the commission of a felony.

All it does is remove the duty to retreat. Which personally I think may not be entirely a good thing.

The SYG law quite probably has no application in the Zimmerman case, but this case will be used to demonize the law. Count on it.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I’m getting the impression that this affair is a hot potato that’s being juggled around from one agency to the next in an effort to avoid responsibility for the riots.

[circlecity]

If nothingi else a “self defense” hearing would be an excellent discovery devise and an chance to cross examine the girlfriend who seems to be the prosecution’s entire case.

[TheConservativeParty]

I started the day with a prayer for George.
I am sure millions of Americans are praying for him with me.
I believe he defended himself before T could render him unconscious by beating his head on the concrete, and just before T could grab his gun and shoot George.

[Friendofgeorge]

We saw the Florida Supremes in action in 2000, I think we all know how they will rule, bunch of losers for the most part.

The sad part is what Jose Biaz(sp) said this morning on CNN, this case will be won or lost at jury selection.

He went on to fully agree with Alan Dershowitz(sp)

[no dems]

Two years ago, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that anyone claiming "stand your ground" immunity in a death, battery or assault case can request a hearing on the evidence.

Damn! Florida and Texas; you gotta love those two States.

[blackdog]

Can you imagine the scheduling and caseload excuses Florida judges are coming up with to dodge this toxic event?

[Gay State Conservative]

There are two entities at play here...the State of Florida and the Feds.Florida,I'll wager,is proceeding with prosecution in order to avoid Rodney King II.If that's correct then,regardless of what the law may say or intend,a trial will take place.A dismissal in a preliminary hearing will very probably bring about riots...perhaps nationwide (coordinated,of course,by Osama Obama Victory 2012 Headquarters).

The Feds will prosecute simply because it's good politics and Osama & Friends have come to enjoy life in DC.

[P-Marlowe]

Here’s the bottom line. Zimmerman was carrying a gun legally. He had not used it until he was laying on the ground with a broken nose and his head being beaten on the concrete.

Anyone with any brains left would have to assume that if he lost consciousness, then the guy who was beating his head against the concrete would be more than happy to finish him off with the gun after he lost consciousness. There is also evidence that Mr. Martin had told Zimmerman that he was going to “die tonight”.

Is there anyone on free republic who would not have used their gun to protect themselves in this situation?

[Molon Labbie]

And that show trial, if it results in anything but acquittal sets a hugely dangerous precedent.

Anyone of us could be George Zimmerman.

I don’t want anyone to ever question whether they should live or die while they are getting their head smashed on concrete and they have the means to resist.

The answer is self obvious and has nothing to do with any Stand Your Ground laws. The Right to Self Defense has been with us since time immemorium.

[UCANSEE2]

In other news (that the MSM really doesn’t want you to know about)

Trevor Dooley’s lawyers seek dismissal in Tampa ‘stand your ground’ case(FL)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2871590/posts

Seems the ‘shoe is on the other foot’, in that case.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I say he gets convicted because as we all know there are two kinds of laws in this country: The set of laws of normal sane people and the set of laws of liberals where self defense is illegal unless you get killed first then just maybe you have a right to defend yourself after you’ve been killed but that all depends on the race of the assailant. Zimmerman is being tried under the laws of liberals and clearly he broke the law by not getting killed first before he acted in self defense which would still have been illegal because the assailant was black.

[Above My Pay Grade]

I agree. If the judge has the courage to do the right thing, the case will be dismissed. I hope and pray this will happen, but I don't expect it.

She would not only take political heat, but her life and the lives of her family members would be in danger from the racist lynch mob that Sharpton, Jackson, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Democrat Party, the New Black Panther Party, Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Martin's parents and the main stream media have been working up into a murderous frenzy, with their lies, distortions and hate speech.

It would be somewhat easier for a jury to acquit him, as they would be relatively anonymous.

If Judge Jessica Recksiedler does the right thing and dismisses the charges, she will prove herself to be one of the most courageous and just judges to ever wear a robe.

[Erik Latranyi]

The racial angle is a mask for an attack on Stand Your Ground and self-defense everywhere.

A second Obama term will mean a liberal majority on the Supreme Court. They will revisit the Second Amendment rulings and restrict your rights to inside your home.

I would not be surprised if they use the Martin or some other case to test self-defense as a right, because without self-defense, the Second Amendment is empty.

[traditional1]

Given that the whole prosecution of Zimmerman is in response to avoid tribal parasites' uprising, I doubt that a finding of Fact that self-defense was the case will be remotely possible now....the State went too far, and can't turn back, to save face.

Likewise, there can be no CIVIL LITIGATION LOTTO for the Martins, if Self-Defense is rightly found, either. The irony would be that the thug yewt is gone, and the "family" can't cash in on his removal.

[Buckeye McFrog]

But, given the political nature of this case, I expect a show trial.

Given the political nature of this case, I expect a light to eventually go on in somebody's head and the Dems to drop it and run like hell before they set off a Hispanic vs. Black race war that destroys their party.

If this actually goes to trial I expect Zimmermann's supporters to begin running ads on Spanish media saying "I am being railroaded". The efforts of LaRaza not withstanding I expect most Hispanics to take his side. The Dems need to find a way out of this before it turns into O.J. or it will destroy them.

[montanajoe]

I would not hold my breath on getting the case dismissed in an immunity hearing.

The evidentiary standard is clear and convincing (eg 90% sure) vs beyond a reasonable doubt (eg 99% sure).

Given the political nature of the case its highly unlikely the judge will grant the motion.

[spacejunkie2001]

The case they compare it to that was rejected as SYG is a bogus comparison. These 2 drunk idiots were being thrown out of a bar by the bouncer and one of them stabbed him! That is totally apples to oranges with Z.

I PRAY O’Mara presents Z’s case and the judge sees it clearly as SYG which it is IMVHO.

[wendell]

This is just another example of bias against obama.

Unlike Pontius Pilate he will be denied the opportunity to “wash his hands”, and let our generation see another Jew die for our sins.

[Tallguy]

Unfortunately I think we’re in the Twilight Zone where the usual rules (of Law) don’t apply.